JPH106534A - Printer and record control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out the recording of high picture quality in the proper density by controlling the ink jet amount per dot, for instance, in the case of recording by monochrome ink and in the case of color recording using a plurality of inks and mixing colors or adjusting the ink jet amount in compliance with the kind of recording data and recording resolution. SOLUTION: In the printing output in which at least first and second heaters 206a and 206b are provided in respective nozzles, and a recording head for jetting ink out of the nozzles to a recording medium and recording, the analysis for whether special recording data such as contracted characters is included or not in the recording data input from outside is carried out, and also checking whether the recording is carried out by high resolution or monochrome/mixed colors is performed, and a recording head is controlled for recording by applying power to both of the first and second heaters or to either one of them based on the results of the above-mentioned analysis and checking.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer and a printing control method, and more particularly to a printer and a printing control method for performing printing in accordance with an ink-jet system and performing color printing by mixing inks of different colors on a printing medium. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color printer which performs recording according to a conventional ink-jet system has 300 dpi and 360 dpi.
In some cases, color printing is performed at a resolution such as i, 720 dpi. In these printers, in particular, yellow (Y),
When performing color recording by mixing inks of colors such as magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK), one dot per dot is taken into consideration in consideration of the amount of ink after the mixing, compared with the case of recording with single color ink. You can set a smaller amount of ink
Further, the ink permeation speed and the degree of spread to the recording paper are improved to prevent overflow or bleeding due to excessive ink during color mixing.

For example, when recording is performed using only a single color ink, an ink amount of about 100 pl per dot is required to obtain a good recording density or the like. Is performed, the ejection amount is set to be smaller, for example, about 50 pl for each ink in consideration of the total ejection ink amount.

Further, when the recording density is a high resolution such as 720 dpi, an image in which the amount of ink discharged per dot is usually at least better can be obtained, but there is a situation where recording with a large amount of discharged ink is required. Consider, for example,
The ink ejection amount per dot is about 50p as described above.
1 is maintained, and control for sampling the recording dots is performed to suppress the total ejected ink amount.

In addition, the temperature of a recording head for discharging ink is adjusted, the amount of ink discharged is slightly changed by changing the width of a driving pulse applied to the recording head for discharging ink, or a high recording density is desired. In the case of (1), control was performed such that ink was ejected twice to the same place.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, although the amount of ejected ink per dot is smaller than that in the case of recording with only a single color ink in color recording, it is almost constant (for example, about 50 pl / dot), if the printing operation is executed without lowering the printing speed and without performing ink ejection twice at the same printing location (ie, without performing printing control by multi-scan of the carriage). However, there is a problem that the recording density becomes low.

On the other hand, in the case of outputting a color image such as a natural image in which ink is ejected over a wide area of the recording paper, the amount of ejected ink is slightly larger in the above-described recording control, and the image is sharp. Images could not be obtained in some cases. Furthermore, when characters such as reduced kanji characters or 720 dpi are recorded on such color images,
There was also a problem that the recorded characters could not be read.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example. For example, the amount of ink ejected per dot in the case of recording with a single color ink and in the case of performing color recording by mixing colors using a plurality of inks Control the ink ejection amount according to the type of print data and print resolution,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer and a recording control method capable of performing high-quality recording at an appropriate density.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, there is provided a printer including at least a first heater and a second heater in each nozzle, and a recording head for discharging ink from the nozzle to a recording medium to perform recording. An input unit for inputting data, an analyzing unit for analyzing whether or not the special recording data input by the input unit is included, and both the first and second heaters according to an analysis result by the analyzing unit; Or a control unit for controlling the recording head so as to perform recording by energizing only one of them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, recording is performed using a recording head which includes at least a first heater and a second heater in each nozzle and discharges ink from the nozzle to a recording medium to perform recording. In a recording control method, an input step of inputting recording data from an external device, an analysis step of analyzing whether or not the special recording data input in the input step is included, and an analysis result in the analysis step, And a control step of controlling the printhead so that printing is performed by energizing both or only one of the first and second heaters.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With the above arrangement, the present invention comprises at least a first heater and a second heater in each nozzle,
When performing print output using a print head that performs printing by discharging ink from the nozzles to a print medium, print data is input from an external device, and it is analyzed whether or not the input special print data is included. According to the analysis result, the print head is controlled to perform printing by energizing both or only one of the first and second heaters.

Here, the special recording data includes recording data representing reduced characters, superscript characters, and subscript characters.

If the recording head is capable of recording at a plurality of resolutions, the recording head is provided with an instruction set in the input recording data and an instruction means for instructing the recording resolution of the recording head. In accordance with the instruction, control may be performed so as to select a recording resolution and perform recording.

At this time, the printing head is controlled so as to perform printing by energizing both or only one of the first and second heaters in accordance with the result of selecting the printing resolution.
Preferably, in the selection of the printing resolution, when a relatively high printing resolution is selected, the printing head is controlled so as to perform printing by energizing only one of the first and second heaters.

Further, the input record data is at least
If the print data is color print data including cyan, magenta, and yellow data, the print head ejects a single color ink corresponding to the color component data at the same position on the print medium for printing. Is a method in which printing is performed by discharging the inks of a plurality of colors corresponding to the color component data to the same position on the printing medium while controlling to perform printing by energizing the first and second heaters. In
Control is performed such that recording is performed by energizing the first or second heater.

A recording head for performing such color recording includes a first head for discharging cyan ink, a second head for discharging magenta ink, and a third head for discharging yellow ink. A head and a fourth head that ejects black ink.

The above-described recording head is an ink-jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink, or a recording head that discharges ink using thermal energy, A thermal energy converter for generating energy is provided.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a mechanism of a color printer which performs printing according to an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes printing in which four print heads that perform printing by discharging black (BK) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink are integrally mounted. The head units 404 to 407 are each BK ink,
An ink tank 403 for storing C ink, M ink, and Y ink is a carriage on which the recording head unit 101 and the ink tanks 404 to 407 are mounted.

Reference numeral 401 denotes a scale section of a linear encoder for detecting the position of the carriage 403; 402, a detection section of the linear encoder; 408 and 409, respectively, carriage guide shafts for holding the carriage 403; A carriage belt 411 for reciprocating scanning along the axes 408 and 409 is a carriage motor as a drive source for reciprocating scanning of the carriage 403 via the carriage belt 410, and 412 is a recording head unit 101 for recording generated by a control circuit described later. A flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as FPC) for transferring data or sending a control signal for a printhead;
Reference numeral 414 denotes a recording sheet serving as a recording medium;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the color printer shown in FIG.

With this control circuit, the MPU 100
By executing the control program and the processing program stored in the OM 102 using the work area provided in the RAM 103, the following data processing and recording control are performed.

That is, the color printer transmits print data and control codes for color print output from the host computer (HOST) 200 to the interface unit (I / O).
/ F) 104, and stores it in a reception buffer provided in the RAM 103. Next, the MPU 100 converts the print data into a CG (character generator) R
The image data is converted into a dot pattern by referring to the OM 105 and stored in an image buffer area provided in the RAM 103 as image information for print output.

Further, the image information is transferred to the recording head unit 101 via the gate array (GA) 106.

The gate array (GA) 106 includes an I / O control circuit for data input / output, a mask circuit for multi-pass printing, a data transfer circuit for transferring data to the print head unit 101, and a print head unit 101. And a circuit such as a control circuit for controlling the operation of. Also,
The gate array (GA) 106 is a driver (DRV) 1
07, the operation of the carriage motor 411 for driving the carriage 403 is controlled.
V) controls the operation of a transport motor (M) 109 that transports the recording paper via 108.

When the carriage 403 is moved by the carriage motor (M) 411, the carriage position information from the linear encoder is read by a reading circuit (not shown).
Through the gate array (G
A) It is sent to the MPU 100 via 106. MPU1
00 specifies the print position of each dot based on the position information, and drives the print head unit 101 to execute a print operation.

In FIG. 2, DB and AB are respectively
These are a data bus and an address bus that connect the MPU 100 and components. Reference numeral 110 denotes an operation panel (OP) provided in the color printer, and a recording head unit 1.
01, Y, M, C, and BK are Y ink and M, respectively.
A print head that performs printing by discharging ink, C ink, and BK ink, and H-CNT represent a logic circuit.

The recording head unit 101 provided in the color printer has a plurality of resolutions (for example, 36
0 dpi, 720 dpi), and the resolution can be selected by an instruction sent from the host 200 or an instruction input from the operation panel (OP) 110 of the printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a nozzle for ejecting ink provided in the recording head unit 101. As shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
A print head unit 101 having four built-in print heads for ejecting four color inks is used, but here, for simplicity of description, two print heads each having 16 nozzles for discharging two color inks are used. 1 shows the nozzle configuration. As will be described later, each nozzle is provided with two heaters for heating the ink. Therefore, 32 heaters are mounted on each recording head.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 501 denotes a first print head, and 502 denotes a second print head. In both cases, the arrangement direction of the nozzles is slightly inclined with respect to the scanning direction of the print head, that is, the moving direction of the carriage 403. In this state, the nozzle arrays of the two recording heads are spaced apart by m dots. N501 indicates one nozzle port of the first head 501, and 16 similar nozzles are mounted on the first head 501. The same applies to the head 502, and ink droplets are ejected from these nozzles corresponding to the recording position.

FIG. 4 shows the first head 501 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an internal logic circuit. In addition,
The first head 501 and the second head 502 have the same logic circuit configuration.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 601 denotes the first head 50.
1, a whole logic circuit configuration, 206a and 206b are heaters for discharging ink droplets from nozzles, 202, 2
02 ′ is a data clock signal (IDC) from the GA 106.
LK) and the recording data signal IDATA input in synchronization with
1. 16-bit shift register for taking in IDATA2 and performing serial / parallel conversion, 203, 20
3 ′ outputs the output from each of the 16-bit shift registers 202 and 202 ′ to the latch clock signal (L
This is a 16-bit latch that is taken in periodically at the rise of TCLK). Here, two adjacent heaters (for example, heater 206a and heater 206b) are mounted in one nozzle (for example, nozzle N501).

Reference numeral 204 denotes a 16-bit latch 20
3 and 203 ′, and the heat enable signals (HENB1, HEN) output from the GA 106 for driving the heaters 206a and 206b.
B2) and BLKENB1, BLKENB which are block enable signals output from the GA 106 to drive the nozzle array of each first head 501 by dividing it into four.
2, an AND gate for calculating a logical product with one of BLKENB3 and BLKENB4;
06b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heat enable signal (HENB1) and the output signal from the latch 203 are input to the AND gate 204 corresponding to the heater 206a, and the AND gate corresponding to the heater 206b is input. A heat enable signal (HENB2) and an output signal from the latch 203 'are input to 204.

As described above, a total of 32 heaters (HT1-1, HT1-1 ', HT1-2, HT1-2',..., HT4-4, HT4) shown in FIG.
In -4 ′), the heaters without the dash (′) at the end of the symbols for distinguishing the heaters receive the heat enable signal (HENB1) and the output signal from the latch 203, while the dashes are added. Heater enable signal (HENB2), latch 20
The output signal from 3 'is input.

The recording data signal IDATA1 is 3
Two heaters (HT1-1, HT1-1 ', HT1-2, HT1-2', ……, HT4-
4, HT4-4 ') is supplied to drive the heater without the dash, while IDATA2 is supplied to drive the heater with the dash.

In a total of 32 heaters, adjacent heaters are provided with the same symbol, and the heater with a dash at the end of the symbol and the heater without the dash are two by two, forming one pair. Then, each pair is mounted in one nozzle.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the nozzle on which the heaters 206a and 206b are mounted.

FIG. 5A shows a case where the ink ejection characteristics of the two heaters are the same or almost the same.
(B) shows a case where the ink ejection characteristics of each heater are different. Such ink ejection characteristics can be achieved by making electric characteristics such as heater area and resistance the same or different.

Also, needless to say, the heater 206
a and 206b are compared with a case in which both are driven simultaneously. Even if the driving time is the same, the size of the discharged droplet formed as a result is the same in the former case. Is small, and the latter case is large. Even if both heaters are driven for the same period of time, if the drive timings are different, the size of the formed ink droplets is also different.

FIG. 6 is a time chart for explaining the timing of each signal of the recording head described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6A shows the control timing of the first head 501, and FIG. 6B shows the control timing of the second head 502. As is clear from FIGS. 6A and 6B, the two recording heads operate at the same timing.

The operation of the first head 501 will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, E is generated based on the position of the carriage 403 detected by the linear encoder 402.
In synchronization with the rise of the NCLK signal, the output data of the 16-bit shift registers 202 and 202 ′ are held in the 16-bit latches 203 and 203 ′ by the LTCLK signal. Then, the next recording data (IDATA1 (D1, D2,
, D16) and IDATA2 (D1, D2, ..., D16)) are input to the 16-bit shift registers 202 and 202 'in synchronization with the data clock signal (IDCLK). At the same time, the BLKENB1 signal, BLKENB2 signal, BL
KENB3 signal, BLKENB4 signal and heater 206
HENB1, H for controlling the time for driving a, 206b
ENB2 is output at the same time or one at a time, with the timing shifted (this shifting is not shown). Control for shifting the timing may be necessary depending on the behavior of the ink in the print head.

By such timing control, HT-1, HT-1 ', HT1-2, HT1-2', HT1-3, HT1-3,
Eight heaters HT1-3 ', HT1-4, HT1-4', then HT2-
Eight heaters of 1, HT2-1 ', HT2-2, HT2-2', HT2-3, HT2-3 ', HT2-4, HT2-4', followed by HT3-1, HT3-1 ' , HT3-2, HT3
-2 ', HT3-3, HT3-3', HT3-4. HT3-4 ', HT4-1, HT4-1', HT4-2, HT4-2 ', HT4-3 , HT4-3 ', HT4-4, H
Each pair of heaters belonging to each block, such as eight heaters of T4-4 ', are driven simultaneously or one by one.

Next, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, when reducing characters, superscript characters (superscript), and subscript characters (subscript) are to be printed, or when printout is to be performed at a high resolution. Will be described.

First, when the power of the color printer is turned on, in step S701, the work area, the reception buffer, the image buffer area, and the like provided in the RAM 103 are cleared, and the recording mode is initialized. Is performed, and the carriage motor 4
11, transport motor 109, operation panel (OP) 110,
Initialization of the recording head and the like is performed, and further, an interface (I /
F) Initialization of the unit 104 is performed.

Next, in step S 702, the color printer is set to a state in which data from the host computer (HOST) 200 can be received (ON Line state), and a state in which an instruction input or the like is received from the operation unit (OP) 110. I do. Then, in a step S703, a state of waiting for data from the host computer (HOST) 200 is set.

When the data is received in step S703, the process advances to step S704 to analyze the received recording control command, print data, and the like. Further, in step S705, the print data is
Expand to image data.

Next, in step S706, in the instruction input from the operation panel (OP) 110, the expansion result of the image data, and the analysis result of the received data, a reduced character and a superscript character (superscript) are stored in a specific recording area. , And whether subscript recording exists or whether high-resolution recording is performed. Here, if such a record exists, the process proceeds to step S70.
Then, if no such record exists, the process proceeds to step S708. For example, in the image data developed on the RAM 103, a part (a hatched portion 8) of an area (one line) printed by one scan of the print head is used.
01), reduced characters, superscripts (superscripts),
If there is a subscript (subscript) and high-resolution recording, the process proceeds to step S707, and as shown in FIG.
The flag (FLG) is set to "1" in the area of the image buffer area of the RAM 103 where the data of the line is stored, and if there is no such recording, the process proceeds to step S708, where the flag (FLG) To “0”
Is set.

Thereafter, in step S709, the carriage motor 411 is driven to move the carriage 403, and in step S710, the linear encoder 402 is moved.
The recording start position is specified on the basis of the output signal from and the recording is started.

In the recording in step S710, if the value of the flag is "0" based on the value set in the flag (FLG), the HE of the heat enable signal is set.
Both NB1 and HENB2 are driven. On the other hand, if the value of the flag is "1", the heat enable signal HENB1 or HENB2 is output from the gate array (GA) 106 and driven. Accordingly, in the case of recording reduced characters, superscripts and subscripts, and high-resolution recording,
If G = 1, each pair of heaters, for example, heater 20
Either 6a or 206b is driven. This allows
The ejection energy is smaller than when both heaters of the pair are driven at the same time, and the ejection control is performed so that the ink droplets formed as a result are small.

Therefore, whether to drive both heaters (for example, heaters 206a and 206b) of each pair or one of them is controlled by the heat enable (HENB1 and HENB2).

When printing for one scan of the carriage is performed by the above control, the process advances to step S711 to convey the printing paper by the printing width. Thereafter, the process returns to step S703 to prepare for the next recording.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, based on the instruction input from the operation panel (OP) 110, the expansion result of the image data, and the analysis result of the received data, the reduced characters, Check if superscript (superscript) and subscript (subscript) records are present and if high-resolution recording is to be performed.
As a result, the driving of each pair of heaters can be controlled, and the size of the ejected ink can be controlled. As a result, reduced characters, superscripts (superscripts), and subscripts (subscripts) are recorded, and small-sized ink droplets are ejected during high-resolution recording, resulting in high-quality recording. .

Note that high resolution (for example, 720 dpi)
The recording timing in the recording of (1) is 1 when the output pulse period of the encoder is adjusted to the recording of the resolution of 360 dpi.
/ 2, for example, if the time of the high ("1") portion and the time of the low ("0") portion of one cycle pulse are about 50%, respectively, the "1" portion The rising and falling edges of are used as recording timing triggers. Other control signals such as a transfer clock (IDCLK) and a block enable (BLKEN)
B1 to B4), heat enable (HEND1 to HEND2) and the like are also determined in consideration of the cycle of the timing trigger. Note that the recording timing may be determined using an encoder pulse adjusted to the recording resolution of 720 dpi.
In this case, it goes without saying that recording at a resolution of 360 dpi is performed once every two periods of the encoder pulse. Furthermore, a recording resolution of 360 dpi, 720
An encoder corresponding to each dpi may be provided to use both pulses.

[0057]

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, reduced characters, superscript characters (superscript), and subscript characters (subscript) are recorded. Although control was performed so as to perform printing with a dot diameter, here, the color printer used in the above-described embodiment is used as a common device, and printing is performed by changing ink droplets between mixed color printing and single color printing. The case will be described with reference to the logic circuit having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 and the flowchart shown in FIG.

Note that in the flowchart of FIG.
The same process steps as those already described in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, only the processing steps characteristic of this embodiment will be described.

In step S709, the carriage 403 is driven, and based on the output signal from the linear encoder 402, the print data is transferred to the print head in step S101 to execute a print operation.

The dots to be recorded are IDATA1 and IDATA transferred from the gate array (GA) 106.
As described above, the gate array (GA) 106 is provided with a logic circuit having a configuration as shown in FIG. 9 at the output unit to the recording head unit 101. This circuit includes cyan data (CD) transferred from the image buffer area under the control of the MPU 100,
Magenta data (MD), yellow data (YD) to I
Generate DATA1 and IDATA2. According to this circuit configuration, IDATA1 outputs the data developed in the image buffer area of the RAM 103 as it is, while IDATA2 outputs an enable signal when any two of cyan, magenta, and yellow are mixed. ENBR).

That is, in this embodiment, the enable signal (ENBR) is set to "0" in the case of monochromatic printing. At this time, cyan data (CD) and magenta data (M
D), regardless of the value of yellow data (YD)
The outputs of the gates 901, 902, 903 are "1".
As a result, the outputs of the AND gates 904, 905, and 906 have the same value as IDATA1. On the other hand, in the case of mixed-color recording, the enable signal (ENBR) is set to “1”, and when any two of cyan data (CM), magenta data (MD) and yellow data (YD) are mixed, ID
ATA2 is not output. (This means that one of the heaters in each pair is not heated.) When no color mixture of cyan data (CM), magenta data (MD), and yellow data (YD) occurs, IDATA2 becomes IDATA1 It has the same value.

In this regard, after image data is developed in the RAM 103, for example, cyan (C) and magenta (M) or yellow (Y) are ejected at the same position on recording paper as mixed color recording. Is considered as an example. The dot data includes magenta data (MD) or yellow data (YD) for cyan data (CD). In such a case, the OR of the magenta data (MD) and the yellow data (YD) is calculated by the OR gate 907. In this case, the calculation result is "1". And
The operation result (“1”) and the enable signal (ENBR)
At the NAND gate 901. Here, when the enable signal (ENBR) is “1”, the output of the NAND gate 901 becomes “0”.
As a result, the IDATA2 output becomes "0" during mixed color recording.

The same applies to the case of discharging magenta (M) and cyan (C) or yellow (Y), and the case of discharging yellow (Y) and cyan (C) or magenta (M). . In FIG. 9, 908 and 909 are OR gates.

As described above with reference to FIG. 9,
At the time of mixed color recording based on cyan data (CD), magenta data (MD), and yellow data (YD), IDATA2
, The enable signal (ENBR) is set to "1" so that no longer is output. Now, the recording data corresponds to the data clock signal (IDCL) described in the time chart of FIG.
K) and is transferred in synchronization with K). Here, cyan data (C
D), magenta data (MD), yellow data (YD)
Is a 16-bit shift register 202 and a 16-bit latch 20 as it is as recording data (IDATA1).
3 is transferred.

Now, at the time of mixed color recording, the enable signal (E
NBR) becomes “1”, and the output of IDATA2 becomes “0”.
And cyan data (CD), magenta data (MD), and yellow data (YD) having a value of “0” are IDAT
As A2, the 16-bit shift registers 202 ', 16
The data is transferred to the bit latch 203 '. Accordingly, the data output from the 16-bit latch 203 'becomes "0", and the AND signal to which the heat enable signal (HENB2) is input is inputted.
“0” is input to the gate 204 as recording data,
Even if the heat enable signal (HENB2) is driven, the heater 206b is not driven.

On the other hand, in the case of single-color printing, the same data as that of IDATA1 is output to IDATA2 as described above, so that both heaters 206a and 206b are driven. As a result, in the case of monochromatic printing, the ejection energy of the ink increases, and a large-sized ink droplet is formed.

Then, in step S101, the carriage 1
When the printing operation for the scanning is completed, the process proceeds to step S71.
The process proceeds to 1 and the same processing as in the above-described embodiment is executed.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, in the case of multi-color printing, only the heater 205a is eventually driven to discharge small-sized ink droplets having a small discharge energy, and the dot diameter is not too large. Fast bleeding and dry ink recording can be achieved. By such printing control, it is possible to execute printing in which the amount of ejected ink is changed between single-color printing and mixed-color printing.

Here, unlike the above-described embodiment, the control by the heat enable (HENB1, HENB2) is not performed, and the recording is controlled by the recording data. Therefore, the HENB1, HENB2 is driven at each recording timing. You.

[0070]

[Embodiment] In this embodiment, there are records of reduced characters, superscripts (superscripts), and subscripts (subscripts), or when performing high-resolution recording.
An example in which control is performed so that small-sized ink droplets are formed only when mixed-color printing is performed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that FIG.
In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the same processing steps as those already described in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, only the processing steps characteristic of this embodiment will be described.

After the processing in steps S701 to S705, in step S706, there are recorded reduced characters, superscripts (superscripts), and subscripts (subscripts) in a specific recording area as in the above-described embodiment. And whether to perform high-resolution recording. Here, if such a record exists, the process proceeds to step S112, the value of the enable signal (ENBR) is set to "1", and if such a record is not performed, the process proceeds to step S113. Then, the value of the enable signal (ENBR) is set to “0”. Then, step S112 or S
After the process in step S113, the process proceeds to step S709.

With such control, when recording reduced characters, superscript characters (superscript), subscript characters (subscript), or high-resolution recording, cyan data (CD) and magenta data ( MD) and yellow data (YD) are recorded at the same dot position, and when mixed-color recording is performed, ENBR = 1 and IDA
Since the data of TA2 is not output, only one of the heaters of each pair (for example, heater 206a) is driven. As a result, the formed ink droplets have a small size. On the other hand, reduced characters, superscripts (superscripts), subscripts (subscripts)
ENB or ENB when not performing high-resolution recording
R = 0, and cyan data (C
D), magenta data (MD), yellow data (YD)
Is also output from IDATA2 as well as IDATA1,
A pair of adjacent heaters (for example, heaters 206a, 20a
6b) are driven, and the size of the formed ink droplets is relatively large.

As described above, steps S112 and S112
When a value is set to the enable signal (ENBR) in 113, the carriage 403 is driven in the next step S709, and the recording start position is determined by pulse data from the linear encoder.

Then, in step S114, the print data is transferred to the print head, and printing in a range corresponding to one scan of the print head is executed. Hereinafter, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the process of step S711 is executed.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, if recording reduced characters, superscript characters (superscripts), subscript characters (subscripts), or high-resolution recording, color ink recording should be used. Drop size can be varied (smaller). Thereby, higher-quality image recording can be performed.

In the above description, a mixture of two colors of cyan, magenta and yellow has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
When black ink and color ink are not compatible with each other due to the ink characteristics, three inks of cyan, magenta and yellow are mixed to prevent bleeding which is likely to occur at the boundary of recording with color ink and black ink. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where recording is performed using pseudo black ink.

Further, due to the characteristics of the ink, black (BK) ink, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink,
In the case of performing mixed printing by mixing any one or a plurality of inks of the yellow (Y) ink, data of IDATA2 may be generated using a logic circuit having a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, cyan data (CD), magenta data (MD), and yellow data (Y
D) is input to obtain a logical sum, and then a NAND of the operation result and the enable signal (ENBR) is operated by the NAND gate 1202. Then, the logical product of the operation result and the black data (BKD) is calculated by an AND gate 1203.
And outputs the result as IDATA2.

Further, the above-described control of the ink discharge amount may be performed depending on the recording paper to be used. In addition, input instructions from the operation unit (OP) 110 and the host 20
If the control according to the used recording paper is executed by the setting from the command from 0, a high-quality recorded image can be obtained for each paper.

The above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by energy, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path in which Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is electrically connected to the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

In the embodiments described above, the description is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, it is possible to use an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer but also integrally or separately, as well as a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception apparatus. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording head which includes at least a first heater and a second heater in each nozzle and discharges ink from the nozzle to a recording medium to perform recording. When performing print output using the print data, input print data from an external device, analyze whether or not the input special print data is included, and, according to the analysis result, both the first and second heaters, or Controls the recording head so that recording is performed by energizing only one of the two. Therefore, when recording special print data such as reduced characters, superscript characters, and subscript characters, the first heater is used. Only when power is supplied, the amount of ink ejected is changed to prevent crushing and blurring of characters, thereby obtaining a high-quality recorded image.

Further, such control for changing the ink ejection amount can be applied to the case of single-color printing and mixed-color printing in color print output, the case of high-resolution printing and low-resolution printing, and the like. Another advantage is that a clear image can be recorded.

[0092]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mechanism of a color printer that performs printing according to an inkjet method, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the color printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a nozzle that discharges ink provided in the print head unit 101.

FIG. 4 shows first and second heads 501 and 5 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a logic circuit inside 02.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a nozzle on which heaters 206a and 206b are mounted.

FIG. 6 is a time chart for explaining the timing of each signal of the recording head described in FIGS. 3 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating recording control when printing reduced characters, superscript characters, and subscript characters, or when performing print output at a high resolution.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a setting state of a flag (FLG) in a data storage area of an image buffer area.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a logic circuit that generates IDATA1 and IDATA2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating printing control when performing single-color printing and mixed-color printing.

FIG. 11 shows printout of reduced characters, superscripts and subscripts, or printout at high resolution.
6 is a flowchart illustrating recording control when performing mixed-color recording.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a logic circuit that generates IDATA2 when printing is performed by mixing black ink and another color ink.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 MPU 101 Recording head unit 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Interface unit (I / F) 105 CG (character generator) ROM 106 Gate array (GA) 107, 108 Driver (DRV) 109 Transport motor (M) 200 Host computer (HOST) 401 Scale section of linear encoder 402 Detector of linear encoder 403 Carriage 404 Ink tank for BK ink 405 Ink tank for C ink 406 M ink tank 407 Y ink tank 408, 409 Carriage guide shaft 410 Carriage belt 411 Carriage motor 412 Flexible printed board 413 Transport roller 414 Recording paper

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A printer including at least a first heater and a second heater in each nozzle, and a recording head for performing recording by discharging ink from the nozzle to a recording medium, wherein recording is performed from an external device. An input unit for inputting data, an analyzing unit for analyzing whether or not the special print data input by the input unit is included, and both the first and second heaters according to an analysis result by the analyzing unit; Or a control unit for controlling the recording head so as to perform recording by energizing only one of them. 2. The special recording data includes reduced characters,
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising print data representing superscript characters and subscript characters. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is capable of recording at a plurality of resolutions. 4. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising instruction means for instructing a recording resolution of the recording head. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls to select and print a recording resolution according to an instruction set in the recording data input by the input unit or an instruction by the instruction unit. The printer according to claim 4, wherein 6. The control unit controls the printhead to perform printing by energizing both or only one of the first and second heaters according to a result of the selection of the printing resolution. The printer according to claim 5, wherein: 7. When a relatively high printing resolution is selected by selecting the printing resolution, the printing head is controlled so as to perform printing by energizing only one of the first and second heaters. The printer according to claim 6, wherein 8. The print data input by the input means is color print data, and the color print data includes at least cyan data,
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising color component data of magenta data and yellow data. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the first and the second printing apparatus to perform printing by ejecting a single color ink corresponding to the color component data to the same position on the printing medium. 2 when the recording head ejects a plurality of colors of ink corresponding to the color component data to the same position on the recording medium to perform recording. 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein control is performed such that recording is performed by energizing the second heater. 10. The recording head, comprising: a first head for discharging cyan ink; a second head for discharging magenta ink; a third head for discharging yellow ink; The printer according to claim 8, further comprising a fourth head that discharges a color ink. 11. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 12. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. Item 2. The printer according to Item 1. 13. At least a first and a first nozzle in each nozzle.
A print control method for printing using a print head that includes a second heater and performs printing by discharging ink from a nozzle onto a print medium, comprising: an input step of inputting print data from an external device; An analyzing step of analyzing whether or not the special recording data input in the step is included; and energizing both or only one of the first and second heaters according to an analysis result in the analyzing step. And a control step of controlling the printhead to perform printing. 14. The control step according to a result of selecting the recording resolution, wherein the recording head is capable of selecting one of a plurality of recording resolutions for recording in accordance with the instruction from the outside. Is
14. The print control method according to claim 13, wherein the print head is controlled so as to perform printing by energizing both or only one of the first and second heaters. 15. The print data input in the input step is color print data, and the print head discharges a plurality of colors of ink corresponding to each color component of the color print data to enable color printing. In the case where the control step is performed, the print head further discharges a single color ink corresponding to the color component data at the same position on the print medium to perform printing, and
When the recording head discharges a plurality of colors of ink corresponding to the color component data at the same position on the recording medium to perform recording, the first or the second is used. 14. The recording control method according to claim 13, wherein control is performed such that recording is performed by energizing the heater.